What Does a Yankee Mean in Betting? -

When you first start sports betting it’s likely you’ll come across numerous terms and types of bets that seem a little complicated – one of these terms is the Yankee bet.

This popular type of bet has its own unique structure and advantages, making it a favourite among experienced bettors looking to maximize their potential returns.

What exactly is a Yankee bet, and how does it work?

Let’s break it down step by step…

Defining a Yankee Bet

A Yankee bet is a type of multiple bet that includes 11 separate bets on four selections in different events. Rather than placing individual bets on each selection, the Yankee bet combines these into a strategic combination of doubles, trebles, and a four-fold accumulator. Specifically, a Yankee comprises:

6 doubles (two selections in each bet)
4 trebles (three selections in each bet)
1 four-fold accumulator (all four selections combined into a single bet)

To win any returns, at least two of your four selections need to succeed. The more selections you get right, the larger your potential payout. Yankee bets can only be placed with bookmakers, they are not available on the betting exchanges. If that confused you, there’s a guide to using betting exchanges here.

How Does a Yankee Bet Work?

When you place a Yankee bet, you are essentially spreading your stake across 11 individual bets. One of the key benefits is that you don’t need to place 11 separate bets manually; the bookmaker calculates and combines them automatically. However, because of the number of bets involved, the total stake can add up quickly. For example, if you choose to stake £1 per bet, your total stake for a Yankee would be £11 (£1 for each of the 11 bets).

As an example, here’s how a Yankee bet works in practice:

Leaning on the image above…

Fulham to beat Brighton (odds of 2.0)
Bournemouth to beat Tottenham (odds of 2.1)
Lazio to beat Napoli (odds of 2.38)
Sporting Lisbon to beat Moreirense (odds of 1.25)

When you place a Yankee bet, the 11 bets include every possible combination of doubles, trebles, and the four-fold accumulator using these four selections. If two or more of your predictions are correct, you’ll win a payout depending on how many selections were right and their respective odds. The four-fold accumulator offers the biggest potential payout but only wins if all four selections are correct.

Benefits of Placing a Yankee Bet

The Yankee bet can be a very effective way of adding additional value to your selections:

Compounds Value
If you are a sports bettor who can find value in the market, adding multiple value selections together compounds the value. Which enables you to have a larger value bet than just betting on single selections. Bookmakers love bettors that place accumulators as this compounds the bookmaker’s margin. When you reverse this situation you are left with highly profitable bets.
Opportunity for Bigger Returns
With multiple doubles, trebles, and the accumulator included, there’s a chance to win significant payouts if three or all four bets succeed. The returns can compound quickly with higher odds.
Accounts Last Longer
It is no secret that bookmakers don’t tolerate long-term winning bettors. Those who win too much often see accounts limited to pennies or closed entirely. Bookmakers can identify sharp sports bettors when they place single bets that shorten it odds, this is easy to do. By placing Yankee bets, however, you look more like a recreational bettor who will lose money long-term.

Risks and Downsides of Yankee Bets Strategy

While Yankee bets offer exciting potential, they aren’t without drawbacks. Here are some of the risks to consider:

Higher Stake Requirements
Since a Yankee bet consists of 11 bets, the total stake can be higher compared to simpler bet types. Make sure you understand that you are staking across 11 single bets and use sensible bankroll management.
Bet with Value!
If you are not taking value bets and simply betting for fun, Yankee and accumulator bets are only going to make you lose money quickly. This is because it compounds the bookmaker’s margin (their advantage). To win long-term you need to be making positive EV sports bets and that’s not easy with this bet-type.
Find Four Selections with One Bookmaker
One factor you need to be aware of is that all selections have to be with one bookmaker. If you want to win long term it is vital that the sum of all 11 bets offers value. In the best-case scenario, all four selections should hold value.

Yankee Conclusion…

Overall, Yankee bets can be a useful disguise for sharp sports bettors to get down +EV value bets and stay under a bookmakers radar (in comparison to single bets). Recreational bettors will be tempted by the chance to win at bigger odds but should realize that if your selections have negative value, then this will only cause you to lose faster. If you want a very simple strategy that has made thousands of pounds in profit for those who have used it!

We suggest reading the article linked below!